The Characteristics of Successful People in the Workplace

Success in the workplace can be measured in a number of ways, such as climbing the corporate ladder, being respected by peers or achieving a high level of job satisfaction. Regardless of how success at work is determined, achieving it typically requires more than simply showing up and punching a time clock every day. People who are successful at work tend to share some common characteristics.

Responsible and Motivated

Successful employees are eager to take on additional responsibilities that may be outside of their job description. This can include volunteering to take on extra projects to help a department keep up with an increasing workload or mentoring new employees. The workers may see assuming more responsibility as a means of progressing within the company or simply as a way to help a department flow as smoothly as possible.

Strong Communicators

Successful employees are typically strong communicators who possess excellent interpersonal skills. This helps them get along well with management and other members of the department or work area. They function well as part of a team and are willing to help others. Thus, they are typically held in high esteem by managers and employees.

Conscientiousness

Another common characteristic of successful employees is conscientiousness. They are always on time for the start of their shift, they don’t take extended breaks or lunch hours, and they only take sick days as a last resort. They make sure their work is completed thoroughly and properly, and their supervisors consider them reliable and dependable. They steer clear of potentially harmful practices such as gossiping about other employees and participating in griping sessions around the water cooler.

Flexible

Work environments can change frequently, and successful employees are those who adapt to change with a minimum of difficulty. They aren’t so set in their ways that a change in a work process causes a great deal of anxiety. Instead, they may see change as an opportunity to develop new skills and gain new experiences that will make them more well-rounded and increase their value to the company.